Portugal & Madeira

A country of sandy beaches, medieval castles, cobblestone villages and captivating cities, Portugal is the perfect choice for those with a real wanderlust.

Azure holidays take you to 5 star hotels in Portugal situated on the Algarve coast, which is ideal for all travellers. Whether you’re going with your partner, alone or with your family, you can enjoy indulgent spas, sea views and excellent cuisine.

Portugal highlights

The Algarve is famous for its breathtaking cliffs, golden beaches, lush bays and sandy islands, as well as its picturesque fishing villages and harbours. During the day, you can spend time relaxing on the sun-drenched sands or swimming, sailing and snorkelling in the ocean. This region in mainland Portugal is also renowned for its variety of high-end golf resorts, which attract players from around the world.

Nature-lovers can head to the Parque da Ria Formosa, which stretches for 60 kilometres along the coast from Faro to Cacela Velha. Here, you can explore the marshes, salt pans, creeks and dune hills. The park is also a great place for bird watching. For some retail therapy in the Algarve, visit bustling towns such as Portimao and Lagos, where you’ll find an array of stylish shops and boutiques. Other attractions across the region include the rugged cliffs of Cape St Vincent, the undulating Monchique Mountains and the historic town of Silves.

The Algarve is known for its mouth-watering cuisine. Feast on everything from simple dishes of grilled sardines finished with lemon juice and olive oil to flame cooked meats and flavour-packed sun-ripened vegetables.

Other areas of mainland Portugal that are a hit with discerning holidaymakers include the Douro Valley with its terraced vineyards and Sintra with its verdant hills and distinctive architecture. You might also want to add the country’s capital Lisbon to your travel wish list. Characterised by its pretty cobbled alleyways and punctuated with ancient ruins, this postcard-perfect city is rich in culture and history. Offering the perfect mix of the old and the new, it makes for a vibrant, action-packed holiday destination.

Madeira consists of four islands and is an autonomous region of Portugal known for its warm weather and wine. One of Europe’s most beautiful travel destinations, the volcanic main island offers beaches, rugged cliffs, mountains and picturesque botanical gardens where vividly coloured flowers bloom. With Azure holidays, your base for exploring this stunning island will be a lavish 5 star Madeiran hotel.

Agriculture is important to the island economy, and there are many terraced areas cultivating trees, fruit and vegetables. In local restaurants, you’ll be served delicious dishes made with these locally sourced ingredients.

Madeira also hosts regular carnivals and music festivals throughout the year, as well as many weekly street markets selling fruit, vegetables and local crafts. There are a number of museums too, where you can learn more about the culture and history of the island.

Food and drink

Whether you’re eating at your luxury hotel or in an authentic local restaurant in Portugal or Madeira, try popular dishes such as cataplana (seafood stew) or smoked meats. For a light bite, freshly baked bread with olives and Portuguese cheese always goes down a treat. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, don’t miss the chance to tuck into the famous Pastel de nata (custard tart).

A proud wine-making country, Portugal is also the home of port and produces many varieties, including white port, which is seldom seen outside of Portugal.

A first-class holiday

To sample all this and more, book one of our luxury hotels in Portugal for first-class food and service in beautiful surroundings. At Azure, we’re committed to making sure you have the best holiday possible and we always endeavour to exceed your expectations. Our friendly and professional team of advisors are on hand to help you create the perfect itinerary and answer any queries you may have about our tailor-made holiday packages. Get in touch by phone or live chat today and let us help you make your dreams a reality. /p>

where to stay

Anantara Vilamoura Portugal

Suitable for both couples and families, Anantara Vilamoura, Portugal, is the perfect place for a relaxing holiday in the sun. Offering a glamorous retreat on the idyllic Algarve coast, the hotel is all about sleek lines, stunning symmetrical gardens and fresh, contemporary interiors.

Belmond Reid’s Palace

For over a century, this grand hotel has attracted travellers from far and wide who are drawn by its splendour and spectacular location in some of the most beautiful botanical grounds in Funchal. Previous famous guests at Belmond Reid’s Palace, Madeira, after whom the suites are named, include eccentric playwright George Bernard Shaw and former Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. Rooms enjoy their own outdoor spaces and are decorated in soothing terracotta, magnolia and ivory tones, with most affording stunning views over the sea.

Vila Vita Parc

Hidden among lush botanical gardens, the cliff-side Vila Vita Parc is one of the finest resorts on the Algarve. Comprising a range of private villas, ocean-view suites, and well-appointed rooms, this striking resort is the perfect place for a relaxing break in the sun. Cobalt and ivory tones infuse the stylish design here. Many rooms have outdoor spaces, including private roof-terraces, while villas enjoy their own private pool.

our travellers' journeys

Find out what our clients have to say about their experiences

We have been using Azure to arrange our holidays for over 12 years. Every year usually twice a year, sometimes more, we rely on the experienced team at Chester to provide expert information on our chosen destinations. Be it a return to our established favorites in Barbados and Dubai or a new and exiting destination chosen from Azures brochure it is always handled in a friendly and competent manner. The small details are not missed such as do we need late check out or early arrival, which can make such a difference after sometimes long hours travelling.
For us using Azure takes the uncertainty out of booking holidays.

We have been booking our holidays through Azure for 10 years and we can thoroughly recommend them.
The Azure team arrange amazing holidays, well chosen destinations and hotels with a tailored itinerary that runs like clockwork with so many wonderful extras, it really takes the time and stress out of planning. When the weather has disrupted our journeys, their 24 hour service has provided us with 5* rescues!
Nothing is too much trouble for Azure staff and the same goes for all the staff we have met on our Azure holidays which really are out of this world.
We continue to recommend your company and all your wonderful team and look forward to our next holiday with you.

My first experience with Azure was when they came to my rescue when my family and I were stranded abroad on holiday without accommodation, their professionalism and ability to make things happen at very very short notice was second to none.
They were very knowledgeable and were able to utilise their many relationships within the industry to get things resolved for me within an hour. I can't praise them enough for rescuing my family's holiday and making it a truly memorable time.
Since then the team always do their best to make my holidays the best they can possibly be based on their own vast travel knowledge and experiences. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them and wouldn't use anyone else for luxurious travel.